Married to a Villainous Minister - Chapter 131

Yu Ruhai didn’t even have time to feel distressed about the crumpled silver note. After hearing what Yu Jiao said, he truly started to panic. Knowing her temperament, she was absolutely capable of treating patients without taking a single coin. He immediately backed down and tried to placate her.

“You can’t just treat patients for free like that. Your third uncle and aunt were out of line, I’ll scold them myself. Don’t be angry, Meng girl.”

Yu Hanshan, already furious, wasn’t about to let things go so easily. But before he could open his mouth again, Yu Ruhai feigned anger and slapped him hard on the back.

“You shameless thing! What kind of uncle goes begging his niece for money? Get back inside already!”

Unable to gain the upper hand, Yu Hanshan wore a face full of grievance. Old Madam Yu gave Madam Zhao a look, and she reluctantly dragged Yu Hanshan back to their room.

“Alright, alright. If your third uncle and aunt act out again, I’ll deal with them myself. But Meng girl, please don’t take it out on the silver notes next time,” Yu Ruhai said, trying to sound like the wise elder of the household.

Yu Jiao didn’t soften her tone. Her voice was cold as she warned, “If I can live peacefully, then so can everyone else. But if someone dares to mess with me, I’ll make sure they all suffer for it.”

Arrogant words, no doubt, but Yu Ruhai could only force out a dry laugh. He didn’t even dare to argue. After all, she had torn up a fifty-tael note without blinking. That temper of hers, he couldn’t control it at all.

In the main house, Madam Zhang from the first branch had been silently observing the whole thing. When she saw Old Madam Yu return with a sour face and the third branch couple come away empty-handed, she nearly applauded Yu Jiao out loud. Smiling, she whispered to her husband, Yu Qiaoshan.

“Mother and those two fools from the third branch really have no sense. After what happened with Master He, the whole village knows the truth. No one’s been coming to see Father for treatment these days.” 

“The whole Yu family is going to have to rely on Meng Yujiao. And yet they’re still playing tricks and getting on her bad side! What, do they think that girl’s as easy to push around as we are? Serves them right for losing face!”

Though Yu Qiaoshan also disliked how the third branch behaved, he still valued family unity. Frowning slightly, he said to Madam Zhang, “That’s enough. She’s still our mother. A peaceful home brings prosperity.”

Madam Zhang huffed, “You’re such a fool. You treat them like real family, but do they think the same of us? We’re barely even related. They’re always scheming for more. If I had Meng girl’s ability, I’d stand tall and raise hell too!”

“Just calm down,” Yu Qiaoshan warned. “Father only just sent Zhizhou to the county school. Don’t stir up more trouble.”

Madam Zhang pouted. “If Meng girl hadn’t been treating patients and earning so much for the family, do you really think Father would’ve let Zhizhou go to school? I’m not grateful to him. If I owe anyone, it’s Meng girl.”

Meanwhile, in the eastern room, Yu Hanshan, dragged back by Madam Zhao, was stewing in rage. His face was dark as a scorched pot, teeth clenched in anger. Madam Zhao, glancing toward the main house, muttered viciously, “Let her act arrogant for now. Sooner or later, her luck will run out.”

Yu Hanshan’s fury only grew. He slammed his hand on the table, jumped to his feet, and stormed toward the door.

Yu Ruhai had just returned inside when he saw him charging out like a madman. His expression turned grim. “You good-for-nothing, where are you going?”

“Don’t stop me, Dad!” Yu Hanshan shouted, rolling up his sleeves, his voice full of venom. “I’m going to teach that little bitch a lesson!”

Yu Ruhai, trembling with rage, snatched up a broom from behind the door and smacked Yu Hanshan with it. His beard quivered as he cursed, “You brainless idiot! Looking for trouble again? If you push her too far, who’s going to treat patients for us in the future? You?”

Old Madam Yu and Madam Zhao rushed over to stop him. Madam Zhao, full of resentment, snatched the broom away and cried out, “Dad, why are you hitting the third son? That little bitch was way out of line!”

Yu Ruhai glared at her furiously. “Was it you who gave that fool the bright idea to ask Meng Yujiao for money? Useless idiots! If either of you had her skills, if you could get those wealthy nobles to send money and plaques to the Yu family, I’d let you push her around all you like! She might be hard to handle, but she earns money for this family. Can you say the same?”

Old Madam Yu quickly helped Yu Ruhai sit down and said gently, “Don’t get yourself worked up. With all the silver in her hands, I actually feel more at ease. Third son and his wife only asked for money after discussing it with me.”

Still, Yu Ruhai didn’t spare her a kind word. His face darkened as he said coldly, “I told you before, that girl is sharp and not easy to manipulate. Why would you join in on the third branch’s foolishness?”

Old Madam Yu looked slightly hurt. “I only thought, since you didn’t get anything from her, maybe letting Third Son try would work. Wanting capital to start a business seemed like a proper excuse. How could I have known the girl would be so tight-fisted? She wouldn’t even spare a single coin.”

Hearing this, Yu Ruhai’s expression finally eased a bit. He cast a sidelong glance at Yu Hanshan and Madam Zhao and warned, “From now on, you two better stay out of her way. You heard what she said, Erlang and Silang’s future depends on her. If you piss her off, you won’t see a single copper coin. Think about that carefully.”

Yu Hanshan and Madam Zhao stood there, heads low, thoroughly scolded. Still dissatisfied, Madam Zhao muttered, “So what, now we just have to let that little bitch run the house however she wants?”

Yu Ruhai had just picked up a teacup and nearly hurled it at her. “Are you stupid? Did you not hear a single word I just said? If I hear you call her that one more time, I’ll deal with you first!”

Madam Zhao shrank back behind Yu Hanshan, still unconvinced she’d done anything wrong.

“You think everyone’s like you, wants to sit on others and act all high and mighty?” Yu Ruhai snapped. His words were harsh, but he wasn’t blind or deaf. He knew full well how Madam Zhao had behaved over the years. 

He only covered for the third branch out of favoritism for his youngest son and affection for her two sons. Otherwise, he’d have dealt with her long ago.

“She’s not even interested in bothering you if you don’t provoke her,” he continued sternly. “So keep those sneaky little schemes to yourself. Don’t stir up more mess. The county exam for Erlang and Silang is coming up. If they pass and someone starts spreading gossip about you, their mother, do you think it won’t hurt their reputations? You want to ruin their future?”

That finally scared Madam Zhao into giving up her schemes. She valued her sons’ prospects too much to risk it.

Meanwhile, in the east room, Yu Qizhe’s face was pale as a sheet. Beads of sweat rolled down his forehead, and his usually handsome features were twisted in pain. His stomach churned, his insides tied in knots.

Enduring the pain, Yu Qizhe opened the door. Madam Song was in the kitchen, and Yu Mengshan was soaking corn seeds. No one was in the main room.